But it wasn’t fine.
Nothingabout this situation was fine.
And she hadno idea how she was going to survive it.
11
“Can we go outside now? Please?”
Connor’s questioncame the moment Piper set down her spoon, his eyes bright with hope. He’d been bouncing in his seat throughout the entire meal, barely able to sit still.
“Connor, Miss Armstrong just arrived yesterday,”Amara chided gently. “She probably wants to rest, nae traipse around the grounds with two wild bairns.”
“I’m nae wild!”Connor protested. “I’m very civilized. Tell her, Miss Armstrong. Tell her I’m civilized.”
Piper couldn’t helpbut smile. And after the tension of last night and the anxiety of this morning, the idea of getting out of the castle—away from memories of Elijah’s kiss and the empty seat beside her—sounded wonderful.
“I think a walk sounds lovely,”Piper said. “If that’s all right with ye, me lady?”
“Of course it’s all right.”Amara looked pleased. “Fresh air will do ye all good. And it’ll give ye a chance to get to ken each other before lessons start in earnest.” She turned to Masie. “Ye’ll go with them, aye, dear?”
“Do I have a choice?”Masie muttered.
“Nay,”Amara said cheerfully. “Ye daenae.”
Ten minutes later,Piper found herself walking through the castle gates with Connor practically skipping beside her and Masie trailing several paces behind, her expression suggesting she’d rather be anywhere else.
The morning was beautiful—crispand clear, with the sun burning off the last traces of mist.
The groundsaround Castle McMahon were expansive, stretching out in all directions. To the left were gardens, still green despite the approaching autumn. To the right were training yards, where she could see men practicing with swords and shields.
And straight ahead,past a sloping hill, she could see water glinting in the distance.
“Is that a loch?”Piper asked.
“Aye!”Connor said excitedly. “Loch McMahon. It’s huge! We can go swimmin’ in the summer, and there’s fish, and sometimes Da takes us out in a boat, except he hasnae done that in ages because he’s always too busy, but maybe ye could ask him? Maybe if ye asked him he’d?—”
“Connor, stop talkin’her ear off,” Masie interrupted. “She’s goin’ to think we’re both mad.”
“I’m nae mad,I’m enthusiastic. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?”
“Aye!Mad people do things that daenae make sense. Enthusiastic people just really like things. I really like the loch. Therefore, enthusiastic.”
Despite herself,Piper laughed. Connor’s logic was endearing, if not entirely sound.
They walkeddown the hill toward the water, with Connor keeping up a steady stream of chatter about everything they passed—this tree was good for climbing, that rock looked like a sleeping giant, that path led to the village, and on and on.
Masie remained silent,but Piper noticed she’d moved a bit closer. Still maintaining her distance, but not quite as far behind as before.
When they reachedthe loch’s edge, Piper stopped to take it in. The water was dark and deep, stretching out toward distant mountains. The surface was smooth as glass, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
“It’s beautiful,”Piper said softly.
“Aye, it is,”Connor agreed. “But it’s also full of monsters.”
“Monsters?”Piper looked down at him with exaggerated concern. “What kind of monsters?”
